Crypto Beyond Hype: Food Tracing, DAOs, and You


Hi Reader,

My new episode of Nerding Out with Viktor just dropped, and it is a good one. I sat down with engineer and Web3 builder Vlad Trifa to cut through the hype and talk about what crypto, blockchain, and the Internet of Things really mean for us right now.

Why does this matter?

  • Trust you can check. Vlad says blockchains are “finger pointing as a service,” a shared ledger where everyone can see who did what and when. That keeps companies honest and data clean.
  • Real-world use. From tracing food to stopping fake sneakers, open ledgers turn buzzwords into tools we can touch.
  • Jobs and ownership. Decentralized groups (DAOs) let workers own a slice of what they build, not just collect a paycheck.

Why now?

  • Big upgrades. Ethereum’s Pectra steps up speed and lowers fees. Solana’s DeFi apps just passed nine billion dollars locked in.
  • Rules in flux. The SEC keeps chasing Ripple and Uniswap, while Hong Kong rolls out friendly laws. Companies must adapt fast.
  • Halving heat. Bitcoin is at an all-time-high (ATH) despite reward cut.
  • AI meets crypto. BlackRock, Stripe, and Sony are tokenizing assets and tying AI power to blockchains. That mash-up is where the next wave starts.

Episode summary

  1. Vlad’s journey – From IoT at EPFL to building supply-chain blockchains and founding Zimt, he has seen every fad up close.
  2. Hype vs. help – We laugh about “YOLO coding” and remind people that a plain database often works better than a half-baked chain.
  3. NFT lessons – Bored Apes showed status, but also hacks. Vlad explains why ownership proofs still matter after the crash.
  4. Future of work – DAOs could pay coders in tokens tied to each task. Finish the job, claim your share, simple.
  5. AI, IoT, Web3 merge – Smart devices will talk to smart contracts without humans in the loop. Trust layers must be solid before that day arrives.
“One of the nicest ways to describe blockchain technology is that it’s essentially finger pointing as a service technology.” — Vlad Trifa

Give the episode a listen and let me know what you think.

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Many thanks,
Viktor

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Nerding Out with Viktor

This podcast and newsletter focus on clear conversations about technology, security, and modern software. Experts share insights on DevOps tips, open source projects, cybersecurity, and Europe's move toward its own cloud services. You will hear about continuous integration, airplane hacking, and new laws that affect the tech industry. Each show explores real problems and fresh solutions in the digital world. By subscribing, you will keep up with the latest trends in software, gain helpful advice from pros, and stay current in a fast-changing environment. We also talk about supply chain security, IoT, and the details of building strong systems. This blend of technical ideas with real-world viewpoints is a great resource if you want to grow your skills, learn about new technology, and connect with others who love all things tech.

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